Touching Spirit Bear: 1

Oh what a wonderful book such a moving story that had me in tears throughout! Native American belief teaches us how to connect to Grandmother Earth and the Animal Nation and to have respect for all people and all life throughout this story. It was great to see a positive outcome for the main character a much troubled young man and of how he finds himself and is then able to forgive others and heal his life. I loved the story so much that l didn't want the book to end!

Personally I bought the book for my chlidren, but myself found it so interesting, I could not put it down. As a psychotherapist I highly recommend the book, as it contains most valuable insights from my Native American fellowbeings who bring wisdom into even this respect of life. Dealing with hurt and strongly disturbed young adolescents in such a good, yet hard, but successful healing way for all involved in the matter, was yet another relevation about how deeply Native American understanding goes. An absolute joy to read.

A thoughtful book about a boy who is almost beyond redemption but with the help of Circle Justice changes his life and outlook.

This book was recommended as we are going to Canada soon to see Spirit Bears (hopefully) it is clearly described as being suitable for young adults. The book is beyond that. (I am not a young adult, I am an old sack) There are comments or lessons therein which can help everyone. On a superficial level, it is a good read. On a deeper level, you could learn something from it.

It's nice to see a novel about First Nations traditions that doesn't rely on lazy stereotypes.

This is a must read!!! for teen agers and adults alike.

Ben Mikaelsen's Touching Spirit Bear is the gripping tale of Cole Matthews, juvenile delinquent who's about to be sentenced to jail time for assaulting a fellow student. Tough-as-nails Cole feels like the world is out to get him and it's his right to smash senseless all who defy him; his alcoholic father beats him, and his alcoholic mother enables it by keeping silent. Cole blames everyone but himself for his anger. Cole's Tlingit parole officer Garvey insists on trying an alternative to jail time called Circle Justice. This ancient healing ritual is based on the Native American / First Nations practice of having the accused perform a vision quest and community service in order to address the roots of his anger and to try and offset the harm he's caused. Cole puts on a show, hoping that the yearlong banishment on an Alaskan island offers the chance to escape. Once on the remote Alaskan island, Cole lashes out and seeks escape, only to find himself stranded and angry. He runs into a large white bear: a Spirit Bear, an animal sacred to Native Americans. Cole is outraged that the bear doesn't fear him, and attempts to kill it with devastating consequences. The remainder of Touching Spirit Bear chronicles Cole's rehabilitation from his injuries, along with his newfound empathy towards Peter, the student whom he assaulted. Peter is left with permanent brain damage and severe depression, and Cole thinks he knows a way to help him get over his fear and anger. Touching Spirit Bear is at heart a story of wilderness survival, but it also teaches respect for one's ancestors and for nature. Cole learns to dance animal dances based on creatures he's observed in the wilderness; each improvised dance teaches him some strength of the animal. He soaks in a freezing pond to still his thoughts and carries a large stone up a hill, representing his ancestors, then rolls it down, releasing his anger. This might sound preachy and touchy-feely, but it works in the harsh context of the wilderness as Cole gradually learns to control his anger. The Tlingit (Garvey and Edwin) aren't represented as "perfect"; each is atoning for some crime committed in the past. Garvey in particular served five years in jail and wasn't offered the healing that Circle Justice provides. The story does contain some graphic moments (the brutal beating of Peter, Cole's mauling), but uses violence sparingly. The powerful nature imagery really brought the story to life. This would be a good pick for those who enjoy wilderness survival tales such as Hatchet, Island of the Blue Dolphins or Julie of the Wolves.

A great read for young adults and older readers alike, the story is set in a remote Alaskan Island, where an unrepentant delinquent has been sent to live in isolation, as an alternative to juvenile prison. An attack by a bear leaves the youngster half dead. While he is still clinging to life, the bear returns, but this time they share a spiritual connection, and Cole finally begins to appreciate the sanctity of life, and to respect the forces of nature. My son brought a paperback copy of "Touching Spirit Bear" home from America, I picked it up and idly turned a few pages, and then found myself hooked, so this certainly is a story that will appeal to young and older readers.

Ben Mikaelsen writes with an amazingly clear teen voice. His stories are wonderfully compelling and full of suspense. In Touching Spirit Bear, right from the opening paragraph you have to read on to find out where Cole's anger comes from and to learn if he will survive his ordeal of isolation in the island wilderness of his banishment. Cole is defiant. He is one angry young man blaming everyone but himself for his difficulties. Despite a wealthy upbringing, he has spent years in just about every kind of trouble imaginable; in and out of police stations and from one "help" department to another, one counsellor to another, playing the game to escape punishment. His parents have always rescued him in the past but this time, with his victim (Peter) lying in a hospital bed with possible permanent head injuries, they decide it is time for him to face the music. Submitting to native Circle Justice seemed to Cole a better idea than going to adult court and a certain prison sentence. Even though he has agreed to spend a year on the island, every once of strength within him is determined to escape. This book is full of adventure, courage, nature, and First Nation culture; it is a journey of learning about self and of finding a place to exist that includes accepting yourself and caring for others. The banishment is not meant to be a punishment but a healing. Mikaelsen intersperses flash-backs to how Cole has ended up on this lonely island with his present circumstances on the island as he first destroys his shelter and supplies, fails his attempt to swim away, and must survive on his own resources. Then he meets the Spirit Bear -- a great black bear that is pure white; not a myth, but a living bear that mauls him and leaves him maimed and powerless. How will he heal both inside and out? Published in 2001, this novel has won awards and acclamation for its perception and poignancy. Mikaelsen's writing expresses wide knowledge of his subject matter and portrays vivid pictures for the reader. His stories make other cultures very real to us.

I read this book as a requirement in Highschool, and I loved it. I am now an adult and wanted to reread it, I found that it is even better and more thoughtful than I was able to comprehend back then. So worth the read.

Amei o livro tem bons ensinamentos e é otimo para quem trabalha com adolescentes

娘の夏休みの読書感想文作成のため、親子で読みました。 罪を犯した少年を、サークル・ジャスティスという方法で目覚めさせ、更生させる物語です。サークル・ジャスティスとはアメリカ先住民の伝統を基に、被害者、加害者、地域住民が共同で穏やかな解決策を探ることです。物語中の雄大な自然と反対に過酷な自然も描かれており、生徒ばかりでなく、大人が読んでも感動する物語です。サークル・ジャスティスを試みるなど、作者の優しさも感じます。原書と訳本を両方読んでみましたが、日本語訳もすばらしく、過度な表現にならず、あくまでも穏やかな原文を意識した訳で読んだ後、気持ちが暖かくなりました。お勧めの本です。

Este libro es parra niños/ adultos jóvenes, es una historia excelente y buenísimo para comenzar a leer. De verdad una historia que vale la pena